"I have heard it from a safe source. I've heard, too, that his lawyer and Mr. Brandon's lawyer have settled the matter between their two selves, and don't intend to let me as much as know I'm to go out till the time comes, for fear I should make a row over it. Nobody on earth can stop it except Mr. Brandon," added Reed, with energy. "Have you spoken to Mr. Brandon, Reed?" "No, sir. I was going up to him; but the thought took me that I'd better come off at once to Master Ludlow; his word might be of more avail than mine. There's no time to be lost. If once the lawyers get Mr. Brandon's consent, he may not be able to recall it." "What does Parrifer want with the cottage?" "I fancy he covets the bit of garden, sir; he sees the order I've brought it into. If it's not that, I don't know what it can be. The cottage can be no eyesore to him; he can't see it from his windows." "Shall I go with you, Johnny?" said Tod, as Reed went home, after drinking the ale old Thomas had given him. "We will circumvent that Parrifer, if there's law or justice in the Brandon land." We went off to Mr. Brandon's in the pony-carriage, Tod driving. He lived near Alcester, and had the management of my property whilst I was a minor. As we went along who should ride past, meeting us, but Major Parrifer. "Looking like the bull-dog that he is," cried Tod, who could not bear the man. "Johnny, what will you lay that he has not been to Mr. Brandon's? The negotiations are becoming serious." Tod did not go in. On second thought, he said it might be better to leave it to me. The Squire must try, if I failed. Mr. Brandon was at home; and Tod drove on into Alcester by way of passing the time. "But I don't think you can see him," said the housekeeper, when she came to me in the drawing-room. "This is one of his bad days. A gentleman called just now, and I went in to the master, but it was of no use." "I know; it was Major Parrifer. We thought he might have been calling here." Mr. Brandon was thin and little, with a shrivelled face. He lived alone, except for three or four servants, and always fancied himself ill with one ailment or another. When I went in, for he said he'd see me, he was sitting in an easy-chair, with a geranium-coloured Turkish cap on his head, and two bottles of medicine at his elbow. "Well, Johnny, an invalid as usual, you see. And what is it you so particularly want?" "I want to ask you a favour, Mr. Brandon, if you'll be good enough to grant it me." "What is it?" "You know that cottage, sir, at the corner of Piefinch Lane. George Reed's." "Well?" "I have come to ask you not to let it be sold." "Who wants to sell it?" asked he, after a pause. "Major Parrifer wants to buy it; and to turn Reed out. The lawyers are going to arrange it."